Button



(No Model.)

0. T. SMITH.

BUTTON, STUD, &c.

No. 301,293. Patented July 1, 1884.

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ORVILLE T. SMITH, OF BROOKLYN, NElV YORK.

BUTTON, sum, as.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N- 301,293, dated July 1, 138%.

Application filed April 4, 1884.

Z") all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ORvILLE T. SMITH, of the city of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Buttons, Studs, and Analogous Articles of Jewelry, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates more particularly to sleeve or cuff buttons and studs, but may be embodied in lockets and other articles ofjewelry.

The object of the invention is to enable relailjewelers to provide a great variety of styles and patterns of buttons, studs, and analogous articles to suit the varied tastes and requirements of customers by the use of a small num ber of frames or shells, and a comparatively large number of ornamental centerpieces, which are interchangeable in the frames or shells, and which bear diiferent initial letters or other ornamental designs. thus equipped with a small stock can do a large trade.

The invention consists in novel combina tions of parts hereinafter described, and set forth in the claims, whereby the desired re sult is attained.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a face view of a button embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view thereof. Fig. 3 is aback view thereof, and Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional views of buttons which embody my invention.

Similar letters of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures.

I will first describe the button shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3.

A designates the frame or shell; B, the post; 0, the shoe; D, the removable ornamental center-piece, and E the back plate whereby said center-piece is secured in the frame or shell A. In this example of the invention the post .2 and back plate, E, are rigidly connected, and the said back plate is of such size that it may fit more or less closely within-the frame or shell A, which may, with advantage, be formed from sheet=or plate metal with a cen tral opening, surrounded by a rim, a, which preferably projects inward as well as outward, as best shown in Fig. 2. The back plate, E, is shown as secured to the frame or A retail jeweler (Xe model.)

shell A by means of small bolts 7), fast in the frame or shell, and fitted below or behind the back plate with nuts Z), as best shown in Fig.

3, and when these nuts are removed the back k plate may be readily separated from the frame or shell. The frame or shell is usually-orna mented on the surface to present an attractive appearance; but as such ornamentation forms no part of my invention I have not shown it. The small bolts 6 may be secured in the frame or shell, so that they will be hidden by thecharaeter of the design; or they may have small. heads of ornamental form, which may project beyond the outer face of the frame o'r shell.

The centerpiece 1) may have any desired design or figure, and when a different centerpiece is combined with the frame or shell a button of different design or appearance is produced. The center-piece D is also made to fit within theframe or shell A, but is slightly smaller than the back plate, E, and said center-piece is slotted at the corners a, for the passage of bolts b. The center-piece rests or bears against the inner edge of the rim ct, and is by its shape and by the bolts 7) prevented from turning.

\Vhen a change is desired, the, nuts b are removed and the back plate, E, and centerpiece are takenout of the frame or shell and a different center-piece is inserted in the frame or shell, and there secured by replacing and securing the back plate, E.

In the button shown in Fig. 4 the frame or shell A is provided with the rim a, and the back plate, E, bears against this rim, and is shown as secured in the frame or shell A by bolts and nut-s b b, as before described. In this example of the invention the center-piece D is of a size to fit snugly within the rim a, and is provided with rearwardly-projecting pins or studs 0, which pass through holes in the back plate, and are secured by cross pins or keys 0*. In this case the center-piece can .be exchanged for another without taking off the back plate, and thus great Variety of changes in the design may be made.

In the button shown in Fig. 5 the back plate, E, is secured in the frame or shell A by bolts and nuts Z) b, and the center piece D fits snugly in. the opening in the frame or shell,

and is thus secured against lateral movement, while its outward displacement is prevented by a ring or rim, a, like a bezel, which is screwed or otherwise secured in the frame or shell, and bears on the edge portion of the center-piece. By the rim a a rabbet is formed in the inner side of the frame or shell around the opening, and by removing the back plate a new centerpiece D may beinserted.

I am aware that harness-rosettes and other articles of alike nature have been made of several pieces detachably secured together, and hence make no claim, broadly, to such a construction. I only seek to cover a button or analogous article of jewelry having a shell or frame within .the back of which is fitted .and secured a back plate, and a removable ornamental center-piece, secured at theinner side of the back plate and visible at the front of the shell. or frame.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a button or analogous article of jew elry, the combination, with a frame or shell, of a back plate fitted and secured within the back of said frame or shell, and a removable ornamental center-piece secured at the inner side of the back plate and visible from the front of said frame or shell, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

2. In a button or analogous article of jewelry, the combination, with a frame or shell, of a back-plate fitted within the back of said frame or shell, and secured therein by nuts accessible at the back of the frame or shell, and a removable ornamental center-piece secured at the inner side of said back plate and visible from the front of said frame or shell, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

3. In a button or analogous article of jewelry, the combination, with the frame or shell A, provided with the rim a, of the back plate, E, detachably secured within the back of said frame or shell, and the removable ornamental center-piece D, clamped between said back plate and the inner edge of said rim and visible from the front of said frame or shell, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

4. In a button or analogous article of jewelry, the combination, with a frame or shell, A, provided with the rim ct, of the back plate, E, bolts and nuts I) I), for'securing the back plate to said frame or shell, and a removable ornamental center-piece, D, held between said back plate and the frame or shell, and capable of being inserted into and removable from the frame or shell at the back thereof when said back-plate is removed, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

ORVILLE 'r. sMITH.

\Vitnesses:

FREDK. HAYNES, G. E, SUNDGREN. 

